One of the reasons ovarian cancer continues to be so difficult to tackle is that the disease often enters the conversation too late. Unlike cancers that have a clearly established screening pathway or a visible early warning sign, ovarian cancer tends to present through symptoms that overlap with far more common and less serious conditions. By the time many women reach a specialist, the disease has frequently progressed beyond its early stages.
That delay continues to shape outcomes globally and in India. According to GLOBOCAN data, ovarian cancer affected more than 3.2 lakh women worldwide in 2022 and caused over 2 lakh deaths. India carries a substantial share of this burden and ranks among the countries with the highest ovarian cancer incidence in Asia.
Symptoms that are often misread
The difficulty with ovarian cancer is not that symptoms are absent. It is that they appear deceptively ordinary. Persistent bloating, abdominal swelling, pelvic discomfort, changes in appetite, feeling full very quickly, frequent urination, or unexplained fatigue are among the more common signs reported by patients.
The problem is persistence. These symptoms occur rarely among most women, but ovarian cancer should be suspected if they persist for weeks or months, increase in frequency, or show a marked change from a woman’s norm.
According to researchers, close to 75% of ovarian cancer patients are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, mainly because the early signs are often misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal disorders or hormone problems.
Risk factors for ovarian cancer
Age is still one of the greatest risk factors for ovarian cancer. The incidence increases sharply after the age of 35 and reaches its peak between 55 and 64 years old. Genetics are also another important risk factor. Women who have mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are prone to ovarian and breast cancer. A history of endometriosis, obesity, infertility, late menopause, smoking, and hormone replacement therapy may also contribute to elevated risk over time.
At the same time, risk factors are not certainties. Many women diagnosed with ovarian cancer may not have a strong family history or obvious warning indicators, which is precisely why awareness becomes important.
Why early detection remains difficult
Unlike cervical cancer, there is currently no reliable screening test recommended for ovarian cancer in the general population. Blood markers such as CA-125 and imaging tools like ultrasound can support diagnosis, but they are not sufficiently accurate as universal screening methods.
Smaller tumours developing deep within the pelvis are also difficult to detect during routine examinations. This leaves symptom recognition and timely medical evaluation as some of the most important tools currently available.
The larger challenge in India is that awareness around ovarian cancer remains low, even in urban populations.
Several studies have shown that women often recognise breast or cervical cancer symptoms more readily, while awareness around ovarian cancer symptoms and genetic risk remains limited.
Moving towards earlier diagnosis
The conversation around ovarian cancer cannot begin only when treatment is required. It has to begin much earlier, through awareness of symptoms, stronger attention to family history, and timely evaluation when persistent changes occur.
In oncology, earlier diagnosis does not simply make treatment easier. It meaningfully changes survival outcomes, treatment intensity, and quality of life after diagnosis. With ovarian cancer, recognising the pattern early still remains one of the most important clinical advantages available today.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Health Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Health Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.
